Two-time World Champion Hoop Dancer, Mother & Educator
Jasmine senses the circle of life in all things. Seasons turn in rings through the years. The sun and moon wreathe their orbits above us. And traditions are passed down for family and cultures to gather around. For her, hoop dancing has always been a practice of unbroken connection. To a way of life. To the world around her. To her ancestors and her children. It keeps her grounded and in touch with her own story, one that grows and unfolds, becoming more and more intricate with every step.
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In hoop dancing, the first hoop symbolizes yourself. And every subsequent hoop represents another part of the dancer’s journey. Despite the dance’s difficulty—hers can include 48 hoops at once—Jasmine makes clear it’s not just about technical prowess. “The dancer tells a story,” she says, and each dance is as unique as the individual, featuring formations inspired by the story of their lives.
Eagle. Butterfly. Sweat lodge. Flower. These are just a few of Jasmine’s powerful formations. And hoop dancing is just one of many Native American ceremonial traditions that you can behold across Wyoming.
Wyoming has been and still is home to many Plains Indian Tribes, each with a distinct story and way of life. “It’s important for us to all learn about other cultures,” says Jasmine, “because then we’re able to better understand and teach the next generation how to become stronger.” Get to know these tribes and their traditions at dozens of breathtaking cultural sites across the state.
Jasmine has traveled the world to teach and share hoop dancing, but when she’s home in Wyoming “there’s definitely a feeling of peacefulness.” One that she cultivates with family as they explore the canyons and plains and ancient mountains near their home on the Wind River Indian Reservation. “I really encourage visitors to Wyoming to take the time to stop and see our reservation. We have so many elements in one spot. Come by and see our way of life.”
